Snake Hanging From Ceiling Light Surprises Family Returning From Vacation

An Australian family found a snake hanging from their ceiling light after returning home from vacation.

The Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 business shared a post on Facebook and said: "Wow! Not what a family expected to come home to!"

The post explained that the snake catchers had received photos from a family in Bracalba, Queensland. The family had returned home to find the snake's head poking from a hole in their ceiling.

The snake catchers said someone was on his way over to catch the snake and to conduct a roof inspection to "see if the snake has any friends up there..."

Stu, who wrote the Facebook post, told his followers that he would keep them up to date with the situation, and added: "P.S If you want a roof inspection done give us a call."

Around an hour later, the snake catchers shared an update and said: "SUCCESS! Dave got the cheeky little carpet python!"

Some Facebook users following the incident were naturally a little freaked out, as one person said: "[I] wonder how many people just ran around their house checking all their downlights!"

One Facebook user was unnerved by the photo and said: "I swear this is my worst nightmare, if ever I hear a rustle that I feel is in the roof, I imagine a snake coming out of the downlight or AC but have been told it couldn't happen, now I see this!"

Others tried to see the brighter side of having a snake in their ceiling, like one Facebook user who said: "Yeah, but removing it is why you got mice," and another who said: "I wish it was warm enough down here to have a python in the roof... Damn rats!"

Carpet pythons are extremely variable in color and pattern, according to the Queensland Museum, which says that most snakes of this kind are olive green, with pale, dark-edged blotches, stripes, or cross-bands.

This species is widespread and can be found throughout northern, eastern, and southern Australia. When they're not hiding out in ceilings, carpet pythons tend to live in forests, rainforests, coastal heaths, rural lands, parklands, and suburban gardens.

Carpet pythons are active both day and night, and the Queensland Museum says that they can be encountered on the ground, in trees or buildings, particularly chicken pens, barns, and attics.

Although carpet pythons are non-venomous, tetanus protection is recommended following bites.

Newsweek has contacted Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 for comment.